A middleweight bout between Ateba Abega Gautier and Robert Valentin adds intrigue to the UFC 318 prelims on July 19, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. This clash pits an explosive, rising finisher against a submission-savvy veteran in what promises to be a compelling striker vs. grappler battle.
Ateba Abega Gautier
Ateba Abega Gautier, known as "The Silent Assassin," is one of the most exciting young middleweights to enter the UFC in recent years. At just 23 years old, the Cameroon-born fighter trains out of Manchester Top Team and carries a professional record of 7–1 with a jaw-dropping 6 knockout wins.
Standing 6’4” with long limbs and devastating striking, Gautier possesses a rare mix of poise and power. His last outing was a first-round KO of Jose Medina in March 2025, where he showcased crisp combinations and a brutal knee. Before that, he earned a UFC contract with a second-round TKO on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Gautier’s lone loss came via split decision in 2022, and since then, he's rattled off six straight wins, most in the opening round. Though he hasn’t been tested much in grappling exchanges, his physicality and striking make him one of the brightest knockout threats in the division.
Ateba Abega Gautier – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Jose Medina – KO (Punches and Knee) (UFC on ESPN 64, Mar 29, 2025)
2. Win vs. Yura Naito – TKO (Punches) (DWCS 2024, Sep 17, 2024)
3. Win vs. Carlos Antonio de Souza – TKO (Punches) (FightKLB, Dec 2, 2023)
4. Win vs. Vuk Lekic – KO (Head Kick) (Titan FC 82, Jun 2, 2023)
5. Win vs. Yu-Joe Lewis Lai – TKO (Punches) (FCC 33, Mar 25, 2023)
Robert Valentin
Robert “Robzilla” Valentin is a well-rounded veteran with a 10–5 record and a reputation for finishing fights on the ground. Training out of Fight Move Academy in Germany, Valentin is a submission specialist with six of his ten wins coming via tapout, four of those by rear-naked choke.
While Valentin has shown resilience and grit, he’s been inconsistent in the UFC. After earning a spot on the roster through regional dominance, he’s gone 1–2 in the promotion, with losses to Torrez Finney (split decision) and Ryan Loder (TKO by elbows). His lone UFC win came via retirement TKO against Zoran Dod in December 2023.
At 30 years old, Valentin is a dangerous grappler who thrives when the fight hits the mat, but he’s shown vulnerability to power strikers. His takedown entries are decent, but against long, mobile strikers, he sometimes struggles to close the distance without eating damage.
Robert Valentin – Last 5 Fights:
1. Loss vs. Torrez Finney – Decision (Split) (UFC on ESPN 65, Apr 5, 2025)
2. Loss vs. Ryan Loder – TKO (Elbows) (UFC on ESPN 62, Aug 24, 2024)
3. Win vs. Zoran Dod – TKO (Retirement) (Lions FC 10, Dec 9, 2023)
4. Win vs. Samuil Shelest – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (RCC 27, Jul 8, 2023)
5. Win vs. Pietro Penini – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Ares 14, Apr 7, 2023)
Prediction
This fight presents a classic stylistic matchup: Gautier’s striking and knockout power versus Valentin’s ground game and submission skills.
If Gautier can maintain distance, use his jab and kicks, and stuff early takedowns, he should have a significant advantage on the feet. His speed, reach, and power are overwhelming for fighters who struggle defensively in striking exchanges, and Valentin has been finished on the feet twice before.
However, Valentin is crafty. If he can survive the early storm and get Gautier to the ground, especially in top control or back mount, he could flip the momentum quickly. That said, Valentin’s takedown entries may not be sharp enough to penetrate Gautier’s early explosiveness and length.
Prediction:
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Robert Valentin via KO (Punches) in Round 1
Expect a fast start from Gautier, who will likely use his length and speed to keep Valentin at bay before landing a finishing combination. If Valentin can’t close the distance early, it may be a short night.